Week 14: Essay- What the Hell?

This week I read the story from Dante's Inferno. This was probably my favorite reading unit of the semester. For some reason that I don't really understand, I have always enjoyed reading excerpt from the Inferno. I also really enjoyed learning about the other two parts of Dante's Divine Comedy, where he discusses Purgatory and Heaven. Obviously, I am not alone in my love for Dante's work, because the Divine Comedy is so widely and totally loved. It is still taught in high school, and I'm sure there are whole courses that are devoted to it at colleges all across the country. Why, though, does it capture our attention in such a profound way?

Certainly Dante's writing must have something to do with his popularity, but I think, even more than that, it is the subject that he is writing about: Hell. I think humanity has always been concerned with what happens to us to when we die. It seems like every civilization of all-time has its own ideas of what happens to us when we die. The ancient Egyptians, the ancient Greeks and many other ancient civilizations are extremely concerned with the after-life. In fact, they all have ways in which souls are judged for their time on earth. The good souls, or those who lived virtuously on earth, receive some kind of eternal reward in Heaven. On the other hand though, are those bad souls, who lived life selfishly or violently on earth. These souls, unfortunately, receive some kind of eternal punishment. Thus, Dante is so successful with Inferno, because he gives us all a story that we naturally seem to care about: our eternity. We love his description of Hell and all of the specific punishments for all the different sinners, because, sub-consciously, I believe that we judge ourselves, and imagine where we would go: Heaven or Hell. 

Dante and Virgil face some Demons, source: Wikipedia

Week 14: Reading Diary- Dante's Inferno

These are my thoughts on Dante's Inferno...

Dante and Virgil:

I wonder if this forest is a metaphor for some kind of depression that Dante was facing while he was writing? I also like that this story is being written from Dante's perspective. The reader can very easily put himself in Dante's shoes. It will almost feel as if Virgil is guiding us on our own personal journey through Hell.

The Gate of Hell and Charon:

Dante is certainly critical of those that are indecisive. Those angels and humans that did not choose good or evil seem to have gotten a pretty rough punishment. It almost seems like Dante is saying that is is preferable to evil over neutral. These people are envious of every other fate that they could have gotten. That is pretty strong.

Limbo:

I had never caught the reference to Christ before. The one marked with a sign of victory that came and saved some prominent biblical figures from the torture of limbo. It definitely seems like it would be horrible luck to not have ever even had the chance to be baptized, and so be saved through Christ.

Poets and Philosophers, Heroes and Heroines:

I like that Dante pays his respects to all of the great literary and philosophical masters that came before him. Even if he doesn't allow them into Heaven, he shows them a great deal of respect by naming them and keeping them out of Hell in its true sense.

Paolo and Francesca:

Dante keeps referring to love as the reason for these sinners torment in Hell. However, I think that it would more appropriately be called lust. Love is good. Therefore, love must have been perverted in some way for it to have damned them. Their love was for each other, and not for God. That is the problem.

Cerberus and Plutus:

I really like that you see all of the things that influenced Dante while he was writing this. I have already seen some references to Greek mythology, but I really noticed the extent of them when I read about Cerberus. I wonder if Dante will continue to use aspects of Greek mythology in his description of Hell?

Fortune and Phlegyas:

All of Dante's descriptions of Hell are even more disturbing and haunting when one considers the idea of eternity. The true torture in all of these punishments is knowing that there is absolutely no escape from it. I can't imagine the hopelessness of an eternal punishment.

The Fallen Angels:

I think it is very telling that Virgil has to continually tell Dante to hold out hope. Even for one who isn't damned like Dante, Hell steals a person's hope. Also, I just realized that Dante is not being guided by one of the Christian saints. He's being lead by a pagan historian.This seems a little weird to me.

The Furies and the Heretics:

It is really interesting to me that even the Fallen Angels and the Furies who guard the city of Dis have no real authority there. Even in their own capitol city in the depths of Hell, they still are at the mercy of God and his servants. This is a great way of showing how control is an illusion, because no matter what, God is in control.

The Minotaur and the Centaurs:

Dante continues to intertwine the ancient Greek myths with his vision of Hell. It is interesting that some of these mythical creatures, like the Minotaur or the Centaurs, are not being punished. Instead, they are dishing out or enforcing the punishments.

The Harpies and Capaneus:

These violent sinners have their own place in Hell. There are special places for those who murdered other, and those who murdered themselves and those who murdered the people of God. The way Dante has them arranged, it seems like he might think that suicide is worse than murder. But maybe I am reading it wrong?

The Old Man of Crete and Geryon:

I'm sure that Dante's readers would understand all of the references that he is making. I, on the other hand, would not have recognized that his description of the old man of Crete was a reference to Daniel's dream in the Bible.

Descending on Geryon's Back:

Dante referenced Phaethon and Icarus, and I recognize these two characters from some of my previous reading. Understanding all of these references certainly adds to the depth of the storytelling.

Jason and the Demons:

The notes talk about Dante placing one of his contemporaries in this circle of Hell. I wonder how that man responded when he saw that Dante had put him Hell. Covered in excrement no less! I wonder if this is a playful joke among friends? Or if it is more malicious?

Caiaphas:

It is an interesting symbol that Caiaphas, the high priest that convinced the Pharisees to execute Jesus, would be crucified. Though, he is not crucified on a cross. Instead, he is on the ground. Also, there is no hope for him ever being free of the stakes that hold him down. Unlike Jesus, whose time on the cross was only temporary.

Ulysses and Diomede:

Every time Dante asks Virgil a question, or he begs to ask those being tormented a question, Virgil encourages him. I wonder why that is? Maybe, if Dante learns what is was that damned these people, then he will be able to show others how to avoid their fate?

The Giants:

Dante's description of Nimrod is really interesting. Nimrod was the one who built the Tower of Babel, and in doing so, he caused God to make many different languages. Thus, I find it really fitting that Nimrod is completely incapable of communicating with anyone, because he understands no languages.

Ugolino:

Some of the the people that Dante meets in Hell are still pridefully opposed to God, and bitter in their punishment. Others, like Count Ugolino, seem desperate for pity of any kind. They are completely broken, and have no hope for themselves.

Satan:

Dante's description of Satan is truly horrifying. He went from being one of God's favorites, to being the most evil thing in all of creation. Also, I think it is interesting to note that Dante's journey through Hell began on Good Friday, and that it ends of Easter.

Week 13: Essay- Disney: The Modern Brothers Grimm

While I was reading the stories from this unit on the Brothers Grimm. I was thinking about just how important children's stories are in terms of teaching a child invaluable life lessons. When I look at my own childhood, I can definitely tell that I learned some important things on what it means to be a hero, or the be courageous, or virtuous from children's stories. I think the children who heard these stories by the Brothers Grimm were supposed to learn lessons from them too. They would have their mother or father read them the story, and I'm sure that they would learn something from it. I'm sure that having those stories read to them was one of the most entertaining parts of their childhoods. However, I didn't read most of my children's stories, and I didn't even have them read to me. In fact, I learned about my fairy tales in the way of Disney movies. Disney is really adept at taking stories like those in the Brothers Grimm, and adapting them to animated movies. Cinderella, Snow White, and many other Disney movies are based on short stories from years and years ago. The principle behind the movies is the same as the stories. Cinderella is a story about not judging someone based on their appearance, and it shows little girls that anyone can be a princess. This lesson is the same in a movie as it is in a short story. So, I think it is really interesting that, despite all of our technology and animation, people still use the same stories to teach their children the same lessons. Disney is just a more advanced and entertaining form of the Brothers Grimm. I'm sure that fifty years from now, kids will be seeing the same stories that I grew up watching, but they just might be watching a hologram, and not a screen.

Cinderella, source: flickr

Week 13: Storytelling- The Shoes with the Swoosh

Once upon a time, there was a shoemaker. Unfortunately, the economy was in the middle of a deep depression, and, through no fault of his own, because  he truly was a good shoemaker, he became very poor. So poor, in fact, he thought the bank was going to foreclose on his little shop.

It came to the point that, one night, the poor shoemaker cut out the last of his leather, and found that it was only enough to make one more shoe. He was devastated. So, he resolved to finish his last shoe the next morning. As he was going to bed, he prayed that God would make his last pair of shoes the best shoes that he'd ever made.

The next morning, he woke up intending to finish the shoes that he had started the night before. But they had already been finished. They were perfect! They did not have one single flaw! While inspecting the shoes, he did notice a curious little marking on the side. It looked something like a check-mark, but for some reason he told his wife that he thought it was a swoosh. Even more interestingly, later that day Prince Charming, for no apparent reason, came into the poor shoemaker's store. Upon seeing the shoes with the swoosh, he offered the shoemaker twice what the shoes were supposed to be worth. The shoemaker was incredibly excited, even if he was a little confused.

Nike Air Flight Falcon, source: flickr

That night, after buying enough leather for two shoes and cutting out the pieces, the shoemaker went to sleep and prayed the same prayer as before. The next morning the shoes were finished again! He looked, and they still had that mysterious swoosh on them. When he opened his shop, he found Prince William and Prince Harry waiting outside. They said that they had seen Prince Charming wearing the shoes with the swoosh, and they had to have a pair. They paid twice what the shoes were worth, just as Prince Charming had done.

This cycle continued for some time. The shoemaker would cut out the leather at night, only find them finished with swoosh the next morning. This made the shoemaker into a very wealthy man. After some time, the shoemaker's wife suggested that they stay up and see who was finishing the shoes. The shoemaker thought it was a great idea, so he set out the cut pieces of leather like always, and then he and his wife waited.

He and his wife watched as two little elves crept in and completed the shoes with incredible accuracy and speed. Weirdly though, the two little men were naked So, the shoemaker and his wife decided to lay out clothes for them the next night. When the little elves saw the clothes, they began to dance around happily. After that night, the little elves never came back to finish the shoemaker's shoes. So, he began to pay little kids in the next town 14 cents an hour to complete his shoes. Then, he and his wife lived happily ever after, and the shoes with the swoosh become the most popular shoe that the world had ever seen!

Author's Note--

This story is based off of the story of The Elves from the Brothers Grimm unit. I have pretty much told the story exactly the same as the original. I did add about the stuff with the swoosh, just because I thought it would be interesting to pretend that the shoemaker was selling Nikes. I also didn't use any dialogue, because that is how the original was written. I hope you all enjoy my lighthearted re-telling!

Bibliography--

The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales translated by D. L. Ashliman (1998-2013)

Week 13: Reading Diary- Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

These are my thoughts about the tales of the Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)...

Cat and Mouse in Partnership:

This story just confirms all of my feelings towards cats. You just can't trust them. It is also a good lesson on choosing friends. Sometimes people just can't change who they are, no matter what they say or what you hope.

The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids:

This might the oldest story about stranger danger that has ever been told. I like that the kids in the story were not completely foolish. They thwarted the wolf twice, but the third time they were just too naive to understand that he was tricking them. I was also glad that he got his just rewards.

The Seven Ravens:

These stories are completely ridiculous. But that is okay, because children's stories should always have a heavy dose of the imaginary in my opinion. I also like that the little girl was committed enough to cut off her own finger. That's a pretty intense choice to make for a little girl.

Little Red Cap:

I wonder if these stories are supposed to teach children some kind of valuable lesson. Like maybe the wolf is supposed to represent the evil men that can pray on women when they get off the path. Or maybe they are just supposed to amusing stories, but I definitely think that they are supposed to teach lessons.

The Singing Bone:

As an older brother, this is definitely not my favorite story. I also don't like that the younger brother didn't get justice, until after he had already been killed. It just seems wrong for that to happen in a fairy tell like this.

The Elves:

This is a nice story. It's always good to see the nice people win. Especially, when they are so gracious and thankful for the help that they receive. Maybe there is some secret key to success hidden in this story.

Herr Korbes:

This is some horrible luck. I guess he must have been an extremely wicked man like the story suggests. I wonder if all those animals and things went to his house with the attention of doing him in? Or maybe it was just some divinely delivered justice.

Old Sultan:

This story shows us that appearance is way more important than reality. The old dog appeared to be useful, even though he wasn't, and he was rewarded for it. Then, he and the cat appeared to be intimidating and dangerous, even though they weren't, and they beat the wolf and boar because of it.

Rumpelstiltskin:

This is a great little story. It is definitely a story that shows the dangers of greed. The king almost lost his first-born by making the girl make a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. Then Rumpelstiltskin gets himself in trouble by making that deal with the girl. I've read it before, but I still really enjoy it!

Week 12: Essay- Is Robin Hood Heroic?

One of the things that I've really enjoyed about this class so far, is that I have been able to read about many different heroes from many different civilizations and time periods. Through this, I've been able to try and determine what it is that makes a character a hero. That is kind of what I'm trying to do with my storybook, and I've kind of done it with a few of my essays. For this week though, I want to take a look at Robin Hood. Is he a hero? Or is he a misguided vigilante?

I think we can all agree that Batman is a hero. So, our heroes definitely don't need to operate within the framework of the law in the same way that normal citizens do. However, they still must have their own sense of justice, or what constitutes right and wrong. The Robin Hood that we see in modern re-tellings certainly meets this criteria. Though he is an outlaw, he robs from the rich to feed the poor. Helping the poor, or those unable to help themselves, is another fundamental aspect of being a hero, at least in my opinion. It also helps that he has an almost supernatural ability with a bow and arrow. So, the Robin Hood that we know today is definitely a hero. He is the defender of the weak who must work outside of the law, because it is a corrupt and broken system. But how does our Robin Hood line up with the original?

Robin shoots with Sir Guy, by Louis Rhead- source: Wikipedia

From my readings, he does not appear to be all that heroic. He appears to be out in Sherwood forest just looking for a good time. He is constantly picking fights, and nowhere do we get the idea that he is a champion of the common people. He is still an extremely interesting and entertaining character, but I don't know if I would go so far as to describe him as heroic. All in all, I prefer the Disney version of Robin Hood to these ballads.

Week 12: Storytelling- How Robin Hood Met Little John

One cool spring night, Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men at around the fire. As the men waited for their venison to roast, they began to grow restless. Amidst the crackle of the fire came calls from the hungry men.

"Come, Robin, tell us a story," called one.

Another, growing impatient, said, "Ah Robin, if you don't tell us a story to distract me, or if this venison isn't done soon, I'll have to eat Little John to satisfy my appetite." To which the crowd gave a hearty laugh.

"Tell us again of how you came to know Little John," yelled one of the older members of the group.

"If you say so, my friends" answered Robin. "I do suppose it is quite an amusing story. Don't you think, Little John?"

"Why yes, sir, I remember it being pretty enjoyable, at least from my side of things. Would you like to tell the lads, or shall I?"

"You would do it a disservice, my friend. Your talents are better suited to fighting than storytelling. So, where to begin? This was very early in my time and Sherwood forest, and I had only a few men in my company. One day, I grew bored, having not had a proper fight in over a fortnight. So, I told my men to wait in a grove, while I went in search of some stranger to test my strength. I had not gone far when I happened upon a man, guarding a narrow bridge. Well to call it a bridge would be to call Little John the king. It wasn't anything more than a log across a stream. Of course, it was Little John guarding the bridge, and naturally, he wouldn't let me freely pass. I could have easily killed him with an arrow through the heart, if that had been my goal. A fact that Little John often forgets."

"Only a coward would kill a man from afar," interjected Little John.

"Well seeing as I was not going to kill him in so cowardly a way, as Little John has put it, we decided to fight with quarter-staffs on that log pretending to be a bridge. And a good fight it was. Each gave as good as he got. Ah, but my friends, I am ashamed to admit that after some time, our Little John knocked be into the water below."

"A right big splash you made too, Robin," said Little John, struggling to conceal his laughter.

"Yes, Little John. On that day you beat me, fair and square. Well, after I'd pulled myself from the cold water, I called on my horn for my men. They were eager to repay Little John for what he had done, but I would not have it. I, having an eye for men of certain talents, thought Little John would fit in nicely with our band of outlaws.  Ever since that day, Little John has been one of my most loyal and trusted friends, and he is still quite handy in a fight."

"Enough of the sensitive stuff, Robin, you're going to make me cry," laughed Little John. "Anyways, dinner is ready, and hearing about how I beat your ass has given me quite an appetite."

"Don't go and get boastful now, Little John. Or I'll have to humble you! Go on everyone, get your fill!"

"Robin Hood and Little John" by Louis Rhead, source: Wikipedia

Author's Note--

This is the story of how Robin Hood met Little John. I kept the details of the story almost identical to the original. However, I wanted the story to be told from Robin's perspective, since he lost. I also wanted Little John to make fun of him for losing, because Robin is pretty sure of himself. I just wanted to convey how two men could become such good friends after a fight. I hope you all like  it!

Bibliography--

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child (1882-1898).